Body Volume Research Articles

3D imaging and pathological analysis of microglia in LPS-treated mice with light-sheet fluorescence microscopy.

Although two-dimensional (2D) histology and immunohistochemistry techniques have long been established and successfully applied to obtain structural information from tissues, recent advances in tissue clearing and expansion approaches combined with light sheet microscopy have led to the realization of three-dimensional (3D) nondestructive pathology, which may revolutionize our knowledge of the morphology of an organ or the whole body in its true state. Employing these 3D technologies, we obtained imaging data of microglia in whole hippocampus of mice. We established a simple procedure to analyze the 3D structures of microglia using the commercial software Amira. Major 3D structural parameters, including the volume of the whole cell, volume of the cell body, Feret's maximum/minimum diameter, number of total branches, fractal dimension, convex hull, and number of intersections,were measured. We found that lipopolysaccharide administration markedly changed multiple 3D morphological parameters of microglia. 3D analysis of microglial structures provides a more comprehensive evaluation than 2D analysis, which can be applied in future neuroscience research.

3D Compact Geometry Inversion for Gravity Data

Abstract Gravity inversion quantitatively provides a 3D model of density contrasts, significantly enhancing the information extracted from acquired data. However, the inherent non-uniqueness of inversion poses challenges in precisely determining the boundaries of anomalous bodies. We have developed an iterative algorithm of gravity inversion that reconstructs the geometric features of the anomalous bodies by discretizing the 3D interpretation model with vertical and juxtaposed prism cells. These prisms incorporate sheet-like initial models which are typically derived from prior information or imaging results. This study proposed a new parameter, the Thickness Factor (TF), which is determined by the thickness of the prism cells under the assumption of homogeneous anomalous bodies. The TF establishes an approximate linear relationship between the source geometry and gravity anomalies, enabling the reconstruction of the source geometry to be formulated as a linear optimization problem. The approach demonstrates the potential for target inversion in the presence of multiple causative sources in synthetic cases and shows insensitivity to noise signals and reliability in reconstructing the geometry of complex sources. The proposed method is then applied to real data from the Galinge iron ore deposit in Northwest China and the drilling data is used as prior information. The inversion results are consistent with previous drilling interpretations and allow a rough estimation of the volume of the ore bodies.

Extremizers of the Alexandrov–Fenchel inequality within a new class of convex bodies

Abstract Mixed volumes in n-dimensional Euclidean space are functionals of n-tuples consisting of convex bodies K, L, C 1, …, C n–2. The Alexandrov–Fenchel inequalities are fundamental inequalities between mixed volumes of convex bodies, which cover as very special cases many important inequalities between basic geometric functionals. The problem of characterizing completely the equality cases in the Alexandrov–Fenchel inequality is wide open. Major recent progress was made by Yair Shenfeld and Ramon van Handel [25; 26], in particular they resolved the problem in the cases where K, L are general convex bodies and C 1, …, C n–2 are polytopes, zonoids or smooth bodies (under some dimensional restriction). We introduce the class of polyoids, which includes polytopes, zonoids and triangle bodies, and characterize polyoids by using generating measures. Based on this characterization and Shenfeld and van Handel's contribution, we extend their result to a class of convex bodies containing all polyoids and smooth bodies (under some dimensional restriction). Our result is stated in terms of the support of the mixed area measure of the unit ball B n and convex bodies C 1, …, C n–2. A geometric description of this support is provided in the accompanying work [12].

Causal relationships between hippocampal volumetric traits and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: a Mendelian randomization study

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease, a common and progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is associated with alterations in hippocampal volume, as revealed by neuroimaging research. However, the causal links between the volumes of the hippocampus and its subfield structures with Alzheimer’s disease remain unknown. A genetic correlation analysis using linkage disequilibrium score regression was conducted to identify hippocampal volumetric traits linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Following this, to examine the causal links between Alzheimer’s disease and hippocampal volumetric traits, we applied a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach, utilizing a bidirectional framework. Seven hippocampal volumetric traits were found as genetically correlated with Alzheimer’s disease in the genetic correlation analysis and were then included in the Mendelian randomization analyses. Inverse variance weighted Mendelian randomization analyses revealed that increased volumes in the left whole hippocampus, left hippocampal body, right presubiculum head, and right cornu ammonis1 head were causally related to higher risks of Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease was causally associated with decreased volumes of the left hippocampal body and left whole hippocampus. These results were validated through other Mendelian randomization approaches and sensitivity analysis. Our findings uncover bidirectional causal relationships between Alzheimer’s disease and hippocampal volumetric traits, suggesting not only the potential significance of these traits in predicting Alzheimer’s disease but also the reciprocal influence of Alzheimer’s disease on hippocampal volumes.

Physiological and behavioral effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticle exposure on stingless bee foragers.

Bee population decline is associated with various stressors, including exposure to pollutants. Among these, titanium dioxide (TiO2), an emerging nanoparticle (NP) pollutant, potentially affects living organisms, including bees. This study evaluates the impact of TiO2 NPs ingestion (1.35 or 13.5 µg/mL) on the behavior and physiology of the stingless bee Partamona helleri. X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Ti in the bees' gut, and 3D X-ray microscopy revealed a reduction in body volume. Although survival, food consumption, flight, and respiration were unaffected. In addition, bees exposed to 13.5 µg/mL of TiO2 NPs exhibited reduced walking distances. TiO2 NPs exposure decreased the total hemocyte count, with notable changes in the proportions of specific hemocyte types: decreased the proportions of plasmatocytes in bees exposed to 13.5 µg/mL, and decreased the granulocytes, and increased the prohemocytes in both concentrations. Furthermore, enzymatic activity was affected with increased levels of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), alongside a decrease in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity. These findings suggest that TiO2 NPs may pose a risk to bee health, highlighting the need for further research to fully understand the implications of nanoparticles exposure on pollinators.

Validity of A-Mode Ultrasound for Estimating Body Fat Percentage of Young Adult Athletes: A Multicomponent Model Study.

This study compared %BFUS to %BF4C in young adult athletes. University club sport athletes (86 women, 138 men) from a variety of teams participated. ADP, DXA, and bioimpedance spectroscopy were used to measure body volume, bone mineral content, and total body water, respectively, for the 4C model. Ultrasound measurements were taken at three sites to estimate %BFUS. Comparisons between %BFUS and %BF4C were evaluated with Pearson correlation, paired t-test, linear regression, equivalence testing, and plots of individual errors. For the combined sample of men and women (N = 224), the two methods were highly correlated (r = 0.93) with a constant error (CE) of 0.8% BF (P < .001) and standard error of estimate (SEE) of 3.0% BF. The 90% confidence intervals of the mean difference (0.47 to 1.17) were well within the ±2% BF limits for equivalence testing, and no bias was evident from the error plot. However, equivalence testing failed to remain inside the ±2% BF range for women, and the prediction errors for women (CE = 1.9% BF, P < .001, SEE = 3.2% BF) were larger than for men (CE = 0.1% BF, P = .597, SEE = 2.8% BF). Overall, the %BFUS errors were low, suggesting that A-mode ultrasound is a valid field measure of %BF for young adult athletes. Accuracy is better for men than women.

Effectiveness of septal swell body reduction for patients with nasal airway obstruction: A systemic review and meta-analysis.

The septal swell body (SSB), a distinct anatomical structure located in the anterior nasal septum, has been recognized as a significant contributor to nasal obstruction, impacting airflow dynamics and nasal resistance. This meta-analysis evaluated the impact of septal swell body volume reduction (SSBVR). A systematic review of studies from PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was conducted through October 2024. Outcomes included changes in nasal obstruction scores, cross-sectional area, and nasal airway resistance pre- and post-SSBVR. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated, and the effectiveness of SSBVR combined with turbinate surgery was compared to turbinate surgery alone. Seven studies involving 232 patients were analyzed. SSBVR significantly improved crosssectional area (SMD = -1.05, 95% CI [-1.88; -0.21]) and nasal airway resistance (SMD = -0.67, 95% CI [-0.89; -0.45]), while nasal obstruction scores demonstrated significant improvements over up to 12 months (SMD = 2.54, 95% CI [1.81; 3.26]). The addition of SSBVR to turbinate surgery resulted in greater improvement in nasal obstruction scores (SMD = 0.47, 95% CI [0.24; 0.70]) compared to turbinate surgery alone, though no significant differences were observed in crosssectional area or nasal airway resistance. Subgroup analyses revealed time-dependent improvements in nasal obstruction scores and variability in effectiveness based on treatment modality. : SSBVR significantly improves nasal obstruction and airflow metrics, with added benefits when combined with turbinate surgery. Further randomized trials are warranted to validate these findings and optimize treatment strategies.

Reproducibility of automatic adipose tissue segmentation using proton density fat fraction images between 1.5 and 3.0 T magnetic resonance.

Deep learning (DL)-based adipose tissue segmentation methods have shown great performance and efficacy for adipose tissue distribution analysis using magnetic resonance (MR) images, an important indicator of metabolic health and disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of whole-body adipose tissue distribution analysis using proton density fat fraction (PDFF) images at different MR strengths. A total of 24 volunteers were imaged using both 1.5 and 3.0 T clinical MR imaging (MRI) scanners at two sites. Whole-body PDFF images were acquired covering from neck to knee, and grouped into three subparts: thorax, abdomen, and thigh. The PDFF images were then segmented automatically into subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and internal adipose tissue (IAT) using a U-Net DL model. The volumes of whole body (WH), total adipose tissue (TAT), SAT, and IAT for total body and each subpart were measured, and the volume ratio of TAT/WH, SAT/WH, IAT/WH, SAT/TAT, and IAT/SAT were also calculated. Additionally, the reproducibility of PDFF values of SAT and IAT for total body and subparts were evaluated. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson correlation coefficient of these volumes and volume ratios in whole-body between the two scanners were very close to one. The paired t-test and Bland-Altman plots for all comparisons showed no significant differences (P>0.05) when comparing the results from the 1.5 T scanner minus those from the 3.0 T scanner. The mean bias for WH, TAT, SAT, and IAT was -6.89 cm3 (P=0.95), -67.21 cm3 (P=0.40), 19.31 cm3 (P=0.74), and -18.84 cm3 (P=0.69), respectively. Good reproducibility performances were also found in each subpart, except for the indices of IAT volume, TAT/WH ratio, and SAT/TAT ratio in the thorax due to different susceptibility effects across MR strengths. The results also demonstrated good reproducibility between PDFF values of the two scanners with the mean bias for WH, thorax, abdomen, and thigh being -0.19% (P=0.219), -0.30% (P=0.118), 0.086% (P=0.494), and 0.24% (P=0.186) for SAT, respectively, as well as 0.35% (P=0.136), 0.46% (P=0.150), 0.58% (P=0.255), and 0.40% (P=0.169) for IAT, respectively. Good reproducibility of whole-body adipose tissue distribution analysis using the DL method between 1.5 and 3.0 T MR images was demonstrated, which may facilitate the whole-body adipose tissue distribution analysis using the quantitative MR-PDFF images.

Te Kukunetanga: Vegetable and fruit intake during pregnancy

Background: Carotenoids, found in vegetables and fruits, act as antioxidants and are a source of vitamin A. Carotenoids may play an important role in maternal and fetal health (e.g., eye health and brain development) and the prevention of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, small for gestational age babies and/or intrauterine growth restriction. No studies have examined relationships among carotenoid concentrations, intake of vegetables and fruit, and weeks of gestation. Understanding of the stability of carotenoid concentrations across gestation, despite increasing demands placed on the body (e.g., increase in metabolic demands, body mass and volume), may help inform specific guidelines for vegetable and fruit intake during pregnancy. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationships of vegetable and fruit intake, body mass, volume, density and gestation with the carotenoid reflection score. Method: Carotenoid concentration in the fat of women throughout their pregnancy was assessed using a non-invasive Veggie Meter™ device which measures carotenoid reflection spectroscopy from the fingertip. Gestation and vegetable and fruit intake were self-reported. Body mass and body volume were measured via a 3D body scanner and force plate. Correlations between baseline visit measures, differences between visit I and II and repeated measures correlations (up to four visits) were analysed for all measures. Findings: Only nine of the 35 women (25.7%) in this study met the guideline of 7+ a day for vegetable and fruit intake. Carotenoid reflective scores tended to be lower for those with greater body mass (r = -0.48, 95% CI = -0.70, -0.18; p &lt; 0.001) and volume (r = -0.50, 95% CI = -0.71, -0.20; p &lt; 0.001). Although women increased their vegetable and fruit intake with increased gestation (rrm = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.2, 0.83; p = 0.01), their carotenoid reflective score did not increase (rrm = -0.29, 95% CI = -0.66, 0.19; p = 0.22). Conclusion: Supporting previous recommendations for the general population that vegetable and fruit intake should increase relative to body size, the current study findings suggest it may be advisable for women to progressively consume more vegetables and fruit to align with increases in body mass throughout pregnancy.

Multicomponent body composition of university club sport athletes.

The body composition of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) athletes is well documented but no such data exist for university club sports athletes. Additionally, the majority of norms for NCAA athletes were created from individual methods requiring assumptions. This study used a four-component (4C) model to measure the body composition of university club sports athletes. Data were collected on club athletes participating in baseball, climbing, cycling, figure skating, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, pickleball, powerlifting, racquetball, rodeo, rugby, soccer, swimming, ultimate, and volleyball. The 4C model consisted of body volume, total body water, and bone mineral content measured by air displacement plethysmography, bioimpedance spectroscopy, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, respectively. Percentile ranks were created for body fat percentage (%BF) and fat-free mass index (FFMI). Mean differences across teams were quantified with Cohen's d. In total, 225 athletes (137 men, 88 women) completed data collection. Athletes varied in competitive experience (1 to 22 y) and body mass index (16.9 to 36.4 kg·m-2). The density of the FFM was significantly greater than the assumed value of 1.100 g·cm-3 for both men (p = .043) and women (p = .011). The %BF ranged from 4.9% to 35.7% (14.3 ± 5.8% BF) for men and from 15.5% to 42.8% (25.2 ± 6.0% BF) for women. FFMI ranged from 15.6 kg·m-2 to 26.8 kg·m-2 (30.0 kg·m-2 outlier removed) for men and from 14.1 kg·m-2 to 22.6 kg·m-2 for women. Differences across sports in %BF and FFMI were considered large-sized effects (d ≥ 0.80) for both men and women. Weight-sensitive sports (e.g. cycling and climbing) had the lightest athletes and were among the leanest, whereas power athletes (e.g. powerlifting and rugby) were among the heaviest athletes and had the highest FFMI. Differences in %BF and FFMI are evident across sports. Due to the small sample size, use caution when interpreting the data as reference values for club sports athletes.

A LiDAR-Based Backfill Monitoring System

A backfill system in underground mines supports the walls and roofs of mined-out areas and improves the structural integrity of mines. However, there has been a significant gap in the visualization and monitoring of the backfill progress. To better observe the process of the paste backfill material filling the tunnels, a LiDAR-based backfill monitoring system is proposed. As long as the rising top surface of the backfill material enters the LiDAR range, the proposed system can compute the plane coefficient of this surface. The intersection boundary of the tunnel and the backfill material can be obtained by substituting the plane coefficient into the space where the initial tunnel is located. A surface point generation and slurry point determination algorithm are proposed to obtain the point cloud of the backfill body based on the intersection boundary. After Poisson surface reconstruction and volume computation, the point cloud model is reconstructed into a 3D mesh, and the backfill progress is digitized as the ratio of the backfill body volume to the initial tunnel volume. The volumes of the meshes are compared with the results computed by two other algorithms; the error is less than 1%. The time to compute a set of data increases with the amount of data, ranging from 8 to 20 s, which is sufficient to update a set of data with a tiny increase in progress. As the digitized results update, the visualization progress is transmitted to the mining control center, allowing unexpected problems inside the tunnel to be monitored and addressed based on the messages provided by the proposed system.

Effects of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors on Body Composition and Fluid Status in Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Patients with Coronary Artery Disease and Heart Failure.

Background and Objectives: Sodium glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have emerged as integral therapeutic tools in the management of patients with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. In addition to their well-documented effects on lowering glucose levels and cardiovascular- and reno-protective actions, SGLT-2 inhibitors, through a reduction in body weight (BW), generate changes in the body composition and volume status that have not been clearly studied. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, observational longitudinal cohort, single-center study analyzed and compared body composition and fluid status measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) from weeks 0 to 12 after the initiation of the cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program for coronary artery disease and heart failure in 59 patients who started treatment with SGLT-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2iG) and 112 patients without SGLT-2 inhibitors (non-SGLT-2iG). Results: Changes between the baseline and week 12 in the SGLT-2iG and non-SGLT-2iG were -0.3 L (p = 0.003) and -0.03 L (p = 0.82) in extracellular water (ECW) (p = 0.05), -0.39 L (p < 0.001) and -0.14 L (p = 0.33) in intracellular water (ICW) (p = 0.12), -0.69 (p < 0.001) and -0.16 (p = 0.52) in total body water (TBW) (p = 0.08), and -0.01 (p = 0.37) and -0.001 (p = 0.25) in the ECW/TBW ratio, respectively. After 3 months of exercise therapy in the CR program, patients in the SGLT-2iG showed a greater decrease than the non-SGLT-2iG in weight (-1.34 kg, p < 0.001 vs. -0.99, p = 0.02), body mass index (BMI) (-0.45 kg/m2, p < 0.001 vs. -0.38, p = 0.004), arm circumference (-0.57 cm, p = 0.008 vs. -0.12 cm, p = 0.21), waist circumference (-1.5 cm, p = 0.04 vs. -0.11 cm, p = 0.83), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (-8.9 mmHg, p = 0.049 vs. -4.19, p = 0.08), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (-5.15, p = 0.03 vs. -2.85, p = 0.01). The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) revealed a significant decrease in body fat mass (BFM) and visceral fat area, without a loss of lean body mass (LBM) or skeletal muscle mass in the SGLT-2iG. Conclusions: SGLT-2 inhibitors exert beneficial effects on body compartments and volume status. Although they induce modest weight loss, this appears to be mainly directed at ECW, BFM, and visceral fat, without a loss of LBM nor skeletal muscle mass, which could contribute to the observed CKM benefits.

Remote sensing and mathematical modelling of Lake Vostok, East Antarctica: past, present and future research

The paper presents a review of the studies carried out in the area of the subglacial Lake Vostok (East Antarctica) to date. They include geophysical, glaciological, geodesic, and geological investigations. The most important geophysical investigations were carried out by the Polar Marine Geosurvey Expedition. They included reflection and refraction seismic, and also radio-echo sounding. The major contribution to the study of this region was made by American researchers, who in the 2000/01 field season performed a complex airborne geophysical survey on a regular network. Their work included magnetometric, gravimetric, and radio-echo sounding measurements. All the research conducted found that the water surface area is 15 790 km², and its altitudinal height changes from –600 to –150 m. The average depth of Lake Vostok is 400 m, and the maximum marks reach 1 200 m. The water body volume is estimated at 6 100 km³. There are 11 islands in the lake, and their total area is 365 km². In addition, 56 isolated subglacial water bodies were found around the lake. A special section is devoted to a review of mathematical models of heat and mass transfer processes in the glacier and water movement in Lake Vostok.

Основы цифровой модели серебряного карася

At the present stage of the development of science and technology, a set of methodological approaches to the creation of digital models and computer programs that contribute to the production development of both new and traditional fish farming facilities based on a detailed study of their biological characteristics as objects of cultivation is to be developed. The development and justification of approaches to the widespread introduction of digital transformation into ichthyology and aquaculture to improve the effectiveness of the study and rational management of fisheries activities using is presented. The volume of fish was studied using the example of a silver carp body shape model using morphometric data in the form of the sum of two elliptical cones or the sum of the halves of two ellipsoids. It was noted that the ratio of the measured body volume of the silver carp to the calculated volume according to the model of the sum of the halves of two ellipsoids according to the obtained indicators approached the values of 0.9. This value satisfied the studied model by 90%, determined the normal development of silver carp grown in the conditions of the Duboe site of JSC Polesie Fish Farm. It is proposed to introduce an impersonal form of data presentation for a particular type of fish, which has a common origin and can be easily represented for any other type of fish. It was found that the distance from the end of the snout to the end of the scaly cover, and in the absence of scales to the base of the rays of the caudal fin, can be used as the studied “unit”. Studies have given the sum of the ratios, and have shown a tendency for its growth from 1.640 to 2.077 values.

Identification of adipose tissue-derived exosomal microRNA as a novel causal biomarker for cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus: Triangulating evidence from Mendelian randomization and multicentre population studies.

To explore serum exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) as risk biomarkers for early detection of cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This study included two phases: a discovery phase and a validation phase. To detect adipose tissue exosomal biomarkers for T2DM patients, small RNA sequencing was conducted on a discovery population consisting of six T2DM patients and five subjects with normal glucose tolerance. To identify miRNAs with causal effects on cognitive impairment, Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using publicly available genome wide association studies (GWAS) datasets was performed. Relationships between serum exosomal miRNAs and cognitive impairment were evaluated in a training population of 207 T2DM patients, and further validated in an external population of 101 T2DM patients from multiple centres. In the discovery phase, 13 exosomal miRNAs were significantly upregulated in adipose tissue of T2DM patients. MR analyses identified that increased miR-125a-5p was causally associated with increased Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk (OR = 1.231, 95% CI 1.062-1.426). In the validation phase, higher serum exosomal miR-125a-5p levels were related to increased amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) risk (OR = 1.066, 95% CI 1.030-1.103) and reduced left hippocampal body volume (r = -0.189, p < 0.05), achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.728 for identifying aMCI in T2DM patients. External validation confirmed a diagnostic AUC of 0.738. Serum exosomal miR-125a-5p derived from adipose tissue can serve as a causal biomarker for cognitive impairment in T2DM patients.

Maternal investment, body condition and calf growth in humpback whales.

Given recent declines in North Pacific humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) reproductive output and calf survival, there is additional urgency to better understand how mother-calf pairs allocate energy resources across their migratory cycle. Here, unoccupied aerial system (UAS; or drone) photogrammetry was used to quantify the body size and condition (BC) of humpback whales on their Hawai'i (HI) breeding and Southeast Alaska (SEAK) feeding grounds. Between 2018 and 2022, we collected 2410 measurements of 1659 individuals. Rates of change in body volume (BV) and length (BL) were quantified using 803 repeat measurements of 275 individuals. On average, HI mothers lost 0.106m3 or 96.84kgday-1 while fasting, equivalent to 2641MJday-1 or 830kg of krill and 424kg of Pacific herring daily. HI calf BV and BL increased by 0.035m3 and 2.6cmday-1, respectively. In SEAK, maternal BV increased by 0.015m3 or 14.54kgday-1 (367MJday-1), while calf BV and BL increased by 0.039m3 and 0.93cmday-1, respectively. Maternal investment in calf growth correlated with both female BL and BC, with larger females producing larger, faster-growing calves. Finally, using 330 measurements from 156 females, we quantified differences in BC increase over four feeding seasons. Lactating females exhibited an average BC increase of 6.10%, half that of unclassified females (13.51%) and six times lower than pregnant females (37%). These findings represent novel insights into the life history of humpback whales across their migratory cycle, providing key baseline data for bioenergetic models elucidating the effects of anthropogenic disturbance and rapidly changing ocean ecosystems. KEY POINTS: On average, Hawai'i (HI) mothers lost 0.106m3 or 96.84kgday-1, equivalent to 2641MJday-1. Over a 60day period, this corresponded to an estimated mean energetic cost of 158GJ, or ≈50tons of krill or ≈25tons of Pacific herring, surpassing the total energetic cost of gestation estimated for humpback whales of similar length. In Southeast Alaska (SEAK), maternal body volume (BV) increased by just 0.015m3 or 14.54kgday-1 (367MJday-1). Further, SEAK lactating females showed the slowest rates of growth in body width and condition over a 150day period compared to non-lactating females. Maternal investment in calf growth correlated with both maternal length and body condition, with larger females producing larger, faster-growing calves. In HI, however, the ratio between maternal BV lost and calf BV gained (conversion efficiency) was relatively low compared to other mammals.

Тhermal history and fluid regime during the formation of Eldjurta massif of biotite granites (Greater Caucasus): reconstructions based on isotope (δ&lt;sup&gt;18&lt;/sup&gt;О, δD) and geochemical data

Based on the geochemical and isotopic (δ18О, δD) data the thermal and fluid conditions during the formation of the Eldjurta granite massif were reconstructed. Analysis of rocks collected from the core of the Tyrnyauz Superdeep Well (TSW) within the depth range of 1427–3923 m revealed their homogeneous isotopic parameters: the δ18О values of bulk samples, quartz, feldspars, and biotite in 12 samples of biotite granites are 8.50 ± 0.33, 9.55 ± 0.22, 8.40 ± 0.33 and 5.45 ± 0.40‰, respectively. The δD values in the biotite vary from −103.3 to −95.6‰. The closure temperatures of the oxygen isotope system of quartz are 440–980°C. The rock cooling history was reconstructed using a new approach based on the analysis of single quartz grains. This approach can be used for detailed reconstructions of thermal history during formation of intrusive bodies. The definite samples were used to demonstrate that Dodson’s equation is valid for description of the δ18О values of quartz in a granite system. The data obtained suggest that the studied part of the massif was formed in at least two almost simultaneous stages. The lower part of the massif was crystallized first, and the second injection of granite melt arrived immediately after the first portion has been crystallized, but had no yet had time to cool significantly. The Тс values in the lower part of the massif indicate the reopening of the oxygen isotope system of quartz, with subsequent long-term isotope re-equilibration between minerals. This leads to decrease of the observed Тс values and the calculated cooling rates, which is related to increasing volume of the intrusive body and cooling within already heated rocks. Estimates of the isotopic parameters of the water component indicate the absence of exotic water fluid (meteoric or buried waters) during cooling of the massif. The variations of the δ18О values in the minerals of the Eldjurta biotite granites can be described only in terms of a simple retrograde exchange at the cooling stage

The Evolution of Nanoscale Third Body Layer Revealed by Graphite Structural Superlubric Contact.

Revealing the evolution of nanoscale third bodies confined between sliding surfaces is essential to understanding the friction and electrical properties for solid contacts. Here, with graphite/graphite contacts in structural superlubricity, a state of no wear and ultralow friction, we in situ reveal the morphological evolution of a third body layer introduced by air through measuring friction and conductance during cyclic hold-slide tests. The directional transport of confined molecules causes apparent elastic deformation of the third body layer, leading to local graphite/graphite direct contact. Together with a proposed quantum tunneling effective thickness (deff) model, a constant volume of third bodies with a sub-nm thickness is observed. Our work provides a feasible approach to investigate the kinetics of substances under nanoscale confinement.

Sex determination method using the third cervical vertebral body by head and neck CT.

This study aimed to measure the volume of the third cervical vertebra using head and neck multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and establish a sex determination model based on sex differences in volume. Head and neck CT images of 85 patients were obtained for dental diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data obtained from head and neck CT were constructed using a three-dimensional image analysis software. A region of interest was created that included the entire third cervical vertebra and its volume was measured. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the measurements, and the means, standard deviations, and medians of the measurements were calculated separately for men and women. To create a sex determination model, binomial logistic regression analysis was performed using the training data group, with vertebral volume and sex as the explanatory and objective variables, respectively. The mean score of men was significantly higher than that of women. The sex determination model using the volume of the third cervical vertebral body resulted in an 80% correct sex classification rate. The sex determination model can be used with other regional methods to aid sex determination.

Intracranial atherosclerosis is linked to lower volume in the posterior portion of the hippocampus

AbstractBackgroundIntracranial atherosclerosis is a common age‐related neuropathology that has been linked to cognitive decline and dementia and often mixed with Alzheimer’s and other neuropathologies. But the association of atherosclerosis with brain morphometric abnormalities has not been explored. This work combined Deformation‐based morphometry on ex‐vivo MRI with detailed neuropathological examination in a large number of community‐based older adults to investigate the association.MethodHemispheres from 891 community‐based older adults from four cohort studies of aging: the Rush Memory and Aging Project, Religious Orders Study, Minority Aging Research Study, and African American Clinical Core of the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center were imaged ex‐vivo on 3T clinical MRI scanners using a multi‐echo spin‐echo sequence with a voxel size = 0.6×0.6×1.5 mm3. All images were non‐linearly registered to an ex vivo brain hemisphere template using ANTs. The logarithm of the Jacobian determinant of the deformation fields was calculated in each voxel and the resulting maps were smoothed using a Gaussian filter with a FWHM = 4mm. All hemispheres underwent detailed neuropathologic examination. The assessed pathologies included atherosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, gross and microscopic infarcts, Alzheimer’s pathology, Lewy bodies, limbic‐predominant age‐related TDP‐43 encephalopathy neuropathological change, and hippocampal sclerosis. Voxel wise linear regression was used to test the association of atherosclerosis with deformations shown in the smoothed LogJ maps, controlling for other age‐related neuropathologies, demographics (age at death, sex, years of education), postmortem interval to fixation, postmortem interval to imaging, and scanner (Fig. 1,2). The FSL PALM tool with 1000 permutations, threshold‐free cluster enhancement, and tail acceleration was used for the statistical analysis. Associations were considered significant at p&lt;0.05 after family‐wise error rate correction for multiple comparisons.ResultVoxel‐wise linear regression showed that intracranial atherosclerosis was significantly associated with lower volume in the posterior body and tail of the hippocampus (p&lt;0.05), independently of the effects of other age‐related neurodegenerative and vascular pathologies (Fig.3). No part of the brain showed significantly higher volume with atherosclerosis.ConclusionThis work demonstrated that intracranial atherosclerosis is associated with lower volume of the posterior body and tail of the hippocampus. This finding is of great interest due to the important role of the hippocampus in cognition.